Ida Chitwood-Inventor of Texas Pecan Pie-

Tom Keener will share the thrilling story of Ida Chitwood and her famous Texas pecan pie at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 25, at the Allen Public Library. In 1927, Ms. Chitwood penned the first documented and published recipe for the Texas Pecan Pie. Ms. Chitwood was Dallas’ first “super star” food personality, and she carried her cooking demonstrations across the nation. Her free programs were attended by hundreds of thousands of women, and her event in Chicago in 1927 appeared on the front page of the Chicago Daily Tribune.

Women had recently gained the right to vote, and these successes enabled Ms. Chitwood to operate a female owned business in a man’s world. In addition, the recent availability of gas stoves, electric washers, and refrigeration enabled women to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with other endeavors.

Empowering women was Ida’s first goal. She impelled her huge crowds to encourage their daughters to pursue a higher education along with the sons, which at the time was a novel concept. Her late granddaughter Dr. Prudie Orr described her shows as a “great example of what Mrs. Chitwood pioneered--the "marriage" of traditional American fare with the new discoveries re necessity of proper nutrition. and elevation of the housewife from drudge to educated domestic scientist.”

Musical and comedy acts were a major hallmark of her programs, Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Lum and Abner, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Paul Whiteman, and Guy Lombardo were among the popular entertainers who opened her demonstrations and played during intermission.

Representing the Texas flour industry. W. Lee “Pappy” O’Daniel (future Texas governor and senator) hired Ms. Chitwood to operate The Ole Mill Inn at the 1936 Texas Centennial, and that building still stands at Dallas Fair Park.

Allen Public Library’s cultural arts manager, Tom Keener writes about regional history, appears on television and podcast programs, and is a longtime bibliophile, specializing in Texas, Native American, African American and Southwest history. Hosting Allen Public Library programs ranging from music to sports figures to authors, Tom has produced over 500 videos that are available on ACTV.

Admission to the program is free, and the presentation will also be streamed live. Find viewing options at Watch ACTV or view online at ACTV.org or YouTube.com/AllenCityTV.

The library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr. Call 214-509-4911 for additional information.

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